Time switch



A. F. GEISEL June 12, 195-1 TIME SWITCH Filed April 17, 1946 INVENTOR. Arthur f. 'se/ WP ATTORNEY Patented June 12, 1951 TIME SWITCH 'Arthur F. Geisel, Milwaukee, Wis.,- assignor to Perfex Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corpration of .Wisconsin Application April 17, 1946, Serial No. 662,803

2 Claims. (Cl. 161-1) This invention relates generally to time switch mechanisms and more particularly to a timeswitch mechanism permitting manual actuationof the switch mechanism independently of the timing interval.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved time switch device-in which it is possible to actuate the switch mechanism manually without interfering with the normal clock actuated operation of the switching mechanism. A further object of the invention is to provide a time switch with a manual operating device which is easily accessible and operable without removal of the cover of the time switch mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

, In the drawings: I

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the timer with the front cover removed, I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the manual operating mechanism, including a sectional portion of the front cover on which the manual operating mechanism is mounted,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the ou'ter appearance of'a timer embodying the feature of the invention.

While I have illustrated and will herein describe but a single embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood that various modifications and alternative arrangements may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

In the form disclosed herein, the invention is an improvement in a 24 hour timer of a type described in detail in the Malone Patent 2,288,636, issued July 7, 1942. This device is adapted to be mounted on a wall or other suitable support and includes a mounting base In to which is fitted a separate casing box H to form an en closure or chamber within which the operating elements of the mechanism are housed. Generally, the operating mechanism of the timer comprises a synchronous motor l2 mounted on the bracket 24 and adapted to actuate a switch mechanism. This switch mechanism is mounted on the base Ill and is electrically connected to the means to be controlled through terminals 13. The side portions of the base piece each contain knock-out openings l4 and [5, through which the desired connecting wiring may pass. The cover has its side walls slotted, as at 16, to clear the openings provided in the base.

In the timer the switching mechanism (not shown) is of such a character that it is shifted between two positions by the synchronous motor and after it has been shifted from one position to the other, it will maintain its new position until an opposite shifting movement is imparted to it fi, For details of this switching mechanism, refer ence'may be had to the Malone Patent 2,288,636'

The switching structure is protected by an L-shaped insulating cover structure ll which is secured to the mounting plate l8 and overlies" the switching structure. I

Terminals 13 are suitably connected to the switching mechanism, and terminals [9 and 2 0;: are connected by wires 2| and 22 to the synchro---' nous clock motor.

Mounted ona shaft driven by the clock motor so as to rotate once in 24 hours is'a mounting disc 23 having a dial front 25. On th edge of the mounting disc 23 are suitable actuating dogs 26 and 21 for effecting timed shifting of the switch; mechanism back and forth between its two positions. A time reset knob 41 isprovided which the bell crank 3| about its pivot 32 when the follower member is actuated by the cam surfaces 28 or 29. The resulting movement of the bell crank 3| moves the switching mechanism from one of its positions to the other. The operative connection between the cam follower 33 and the bell crank 3! comprises a resilient arm 3 which carries the cam follower 33 on one of its ends and is fastened at its other end to the remote end of the bell crank 3 I.

The present invention is embodied in a manual switch actuator mechanism shown in detail in Fig. 2. In Fig. 2 mounted on the front of the casing box is the pivot pin 35, serving as a pivot for the movable member 36. The movable member 36 has attached to one end an ear 3'! which extends through an opening 38 in the front of the casing box II. A U-shaped bracket 39 is rigidly fastened to the movable member 36 near its other end. Attached to the remote end of the bell crank 3! is a bracket 40 having a projecting portion 4|. The legs 42 and 43 of the bracket 39 are so proportioned as to engage the projection 4| whenever the movable member 36 is moved about ,its pivot 35, as by manually moving the car 31 up or down. A resilient spring member 44 is fastened to the pivot pin 35 and a rearwardly extending portion 45 of the movable member 36. This spring member 44 tends to bias the movable member-stand the bracket 39 to a neutral posi-' tion. 'In-this neutralpos'ition, the legs 42 and 43 of the bracket 39 are separated from the projecting portion 4|, and do not interfere with movement of the bell crank 3| during the normal clock actuated sequence of operation.

Openings 46 and 48 are provided in the front of the casing box allowing visual checking and:

resetting of the timing clock respectively. The casing box is fastened to the base by means of a screw threaded lug 49 attached to the terminal mounting base 50. This threaded lug receives a mounting screw 5| which serves to hold the casing bo'x I to the base).

In operation, if a settingof the switch mech- .anism? other thanthatgiven it by the actuating dog, 21ror 121 is desired, the movable member is movedabout its pivot 35 by manually moving the car 31. The resulting movement of the movable member iificauses one of the legs of the bracket 39. to contact the extension 4| resulting in movement of the .bell crank 3| and shifting of the switch'mechanismto itsother position. As soon as the ear 3'! is released,.the spring member 44 causes the movable member-36 to return to a neutral position where the bracket 39 is out of contact with the extension4l. This leaves the bell crank 3| unobstructed, allowing the switching mechanism to be shifted to a new position by the actuating dog 26 or 21. V

I have herein shown and described certain embodiments of my invention for the purpose of explaining its principles and showing its application. Numerous modifications may be made without departing from the principles of the invention whichare included in the following claims.

' WhatJI claim is:

1. In a timing; device comprising a timing motor, a control device and a casing member partiallyjenclosing said motor and said control device, said control device comprising a pivotally mounted actuating lever and a switch structure actuated by movement of said lever, operating means actuated by said timing motor'for moving saidlever, manual means providing for manual movement of said lever independently of said operating means, said manual means comprising an. elongated movable member pivotally mounted intermediate itsends to the inner face of said casing member and extending substantially parallel to said lever, one free end of said movable member carrying connecting means providing a lost motion connection between said movable member and said lever for moving said lever to actuate said switch structure, resilient means urging said movable member into a normal position wherein said lever may be freely moved by said operatingmeans, the other free-tend of said movable member having a: part extending through an opening in said casing member to provide for manual movement of said movable member to a position wherein said lever is moved through said lost motion connection to actuate said switch structure, said resilient means returning said movable member from said last named position to said normal position without moving said lever to de-actuate said switch structure.

2.111 a timiing device comprising a timing motor, a' control device and a casing member partially enclosing said motor and said control device, said control device comprising a,pivotally mounted actuating lever and a switch structure actuated by movement of said lever, operating means actuatedby said timing motor formoving said lever, manual means providing.for.manual movement of said lever independently of. said operating means, said manual means, comprising an elongated movable. member, pivotally mounted intermediate its endsto theinner face of said casing member and extending substantiallyp'arab lel to said lever, .one free end of said movable member carrying a bracket comprising spaced legs embracing a portionofsaid lever. resilient means urging said movable member. into a normal position wherein said lever may be freely movedwithinsaid legs by said operatin means, the other free, end of. said movablemember having a part extending.throughan pening in said casing member, to provide for manual movement of said movable member to ap'osition wherein said lever is moved by said legs teactuatesaid switch structure, said. resilient means returning saidmovable member from saidlast named position to saidnormal position without moving said lever to de-actuate said switchgstructure.

ARTHUR F. GEISEL.

REFERENCES. CITED The following references. are of record in the file of this; patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,860,159 Porter May 24, 1932 2,172,068 Murray Sept. 5, 1939 

